Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
If you can’t make it to Europe, the next best thing is a class in the Little Italy part of downtown San Diego. Steve and I enjoy a two hour mental trip via “the Wines and Foods of Italy by Region”: each week a different area and 4-6 wines to sample, cheeses, polenta, pizza, and dulce. The class enjoys videos of each region and shares their own Italian stories.
It was one year ago today that we left for Manchester on our way to Volvo and Montalcino. This week’s trip will be to the Open Air Market in Little Italy on Saturday to replenish oils, spices, and memories. Bene, molto bene.
Tags: europe, little italy, manchester, montalcino, pizza, polenta, san diego, steve, wine
Posted in England, Italy, Potpourri, Volvo | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
This past weekend we thoroughly enjoyed our couples retreat in the mountains below Big Bear. What a treat to be among these ol friends for the 11th year. It use to take major work to be covered at the shop and at church, but now it just takes packing my Bible and a suitcase. With a roaring fire, awesome food, and heartfelt fellowship, we enjoyed a gorgeous snowfall. Couldn’t pass up throwing a few snowballs and making a snow angel.
Tags: big bear, couples retreat, forrest home
Posted in Friends, Potpourri | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Last year was an awesome year of travel; 22 weeks away from home and on the road! The sights and tastes of the journey were incredible, awesome, priceless. From Barnoldswick, England to Pisa, Italy,to Orland, Sweden the adventure far exceeded all expectations. And the people; oh the kindness of Raymond, Alessandro, Gunner and Dieter, Miranda, Giovani, Father Piernino, and many many others.
We returned home with some inklings that all was not normal, so doctor appointments started lining up. Sonagram, pap,biopsy, specialists, waiting, and then the day you have a date with an oncologist. How do you be cheerful as you walk in that door, the one at the very end of that long hallway?
But just like the adventures in Europe, the doctors, nurse-practitioner, staff and volunteers at Scripps-Mercy Hospital, Scripps-Green and RB joined with all my friends and family to hold me up in prayer. Betty and Mary and Andy babysat me after surgery, Donna cooked and Steve e-mailed updates. I was so loved and cared for that fear NEVER had a chance to take hold. Radiation zapped some strength, but not the knowledge that God loved me and had placed me amongst the most wonderful people in the entire world.
I need to get a map with some bright pins to mark all those special destinations I hold in my heart. Just not sure where to put the trip to cancer pin, cause I don’t want to forget it…it too became a good memory.
Tags: alessandro, andy, barnoldswick, betty bloom, cancer, dieter, donna kalla, father pernino, giovani, gunner, jensons, miranda, orland, pisa, radiation, raymond, scripps-green, scripps-mercy hospital, scripps-rb, steve
Posted in England, Family, Friends, Health, Italy, Sweden | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
All Carnations!
My tales of this years’ travels would not be complete without mentioning LasVegas! Steve was covering a convention for Pharmacists Dec. 6-9 at the Venetian. It was cold and rainy, but the storm dusted the surrounding mountains with snow and left everything so fresh and clear. I was eager to see how Vegas decorates for Christmas and I was mostly disappointed, except in the Bellagio; oh my , what a showstopper!! Lights, flowers, pointsettas, snow, music, and a little magic.
We also enjoyed meeting up with the Finnanes for dinner at the restaurant “Switch”, a restaurant whose walls and ceiling change decor every 20 minutes, and Suranowitzes for dinner at Grand Lux Cafe , owned by Cheesecake factory. I had a great time being on my own: 
window shopping, reading, people watching. A lot of the Italy scenes at the Venetian tugged at our hearts as they reminded us of our time spent seeing the real thing (like the mimes, or musicians or the art).
Long drives, but got a book on tape from the library and it made time speed by. Now I return a week behind for my Christmas plans ,and to embark on Radiation. Then I can have a Holiday Glow too!
Tags: bellagio, cheesecake factory, christmas, convention, finnanes, grand lux cafe, las vegas, pfizer, radiation, suranowitzes, switch, venetian
Posted in Nevada | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
We were so warmly welcomed in Janet’s home and happyt to spend a few days with she and my dad and celebrate his 85th birthday with he, Janet, Aunt Marilyn and lots of cronies.
We particiated in their Friday night get together (karaoke and all) a wonderful homecooked meal at home, and dinner at Outback, guests of Marilyn. I have had the priviledge of seeing Dad 3x in the last year. Maybe with the new baby coming there will be another visit this summer.
Then we headed back to Orlando and the flight home. Five weeks, two Pfizer conventions, monuments, museums, friends, family, a BIG birthday, Disney, new sights and tastes…..priceless!
Tags: birthday, daytona, disney, janet, joe, marilyn, orlando, outback, pfizer
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Family, Florida | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Well, I can swallow my pride and admit that if I wanted to do ALL of Epcot and Disney Studios, I would have to rent a wheelchair. And I got a new perspective of both at a different level. Steve quite relished his part in this, as Speedy Gonzalez ( He still builds up steam and rides shopping carts in parking lots). We never laughed so much, and what fun both parks were (and there was always room for a wheelchair in every program).
It was especially breathtaking in the City Streets of Disney Studios with all the size-adjusted buildings covered with lights and set to music. 5 million lights, snow falling, a Nativity, angels, a star on the huge globe at Bethlehem! We have not been in such wonder and awe as that night. Goosebumps!!!
Tags: bethlehem, city streets, disney, disney studios, epcot, nativity, steve, wheelchair
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Florida, Israel | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
We were about to have the time of life, when we got word that KC’s and Jonathan’s cars were towed by the police. Despite a “non-operational permit” from the DMV which allowed us not to register it, and permission from the immediate neighbors, the officer cited us for having a non-registered vehicle parked on city streets.
Despite the pleadings of our dear neighbor, Helena, the cop had the cars impounded. After numerous calls to any one we could think of, and lots of help from Andy, we came to the conclusion we could do NOTHING but pay up when we get back, in excess of one thousand dollars. So much for the spirit of Thanksgiving and for our Christmas budget! grrrrr
Post Script: $1300, plus smogging, and registering them. Don’t get towed.
Tags: andy, christmas, dmv, helena evans, jonathan, k.c, police, thanksgiving
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Family, Florida, Travel Challenges | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
We escaped the Pfizer work at the American Heart Convention and are ready to play! On our own, we have reservations at “Shades of Green’; a military resort on the disney properties. There are 5 military resorts worldwide and we have been fortunate tostay at 3 of them: Disney, Garmish, and HaleKoa(the other two are seoul and virginia beach).
Shades of Green has all the amenites of any Disney resort and cheaper. When we checked in, we found out that every active duty or retired service person was intitled to a free five day pass to the Disney theme parks and a reduced price for anyone with them!!!!!
Our original plan was to spend one day at Epcot and then head to my Dad’s. Change of plans: add one day at Disney Studios and be a day late to Daytona (they understood)!
Tags: american heart convention, daytona, disney, disney studios, epcot, garmish, halekoa, military, pfizer, seoul, shades of green, virginia beach
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Family, Florida, Germany, Hawaii, Korea, Virginia | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
The latest Shuttle launch was a success and clearly visible from alot of Florida. I asked around and was told the best viewing spot would be on the top of the parking structure at Universal Studios. Two boat rides, 4 moving sidewalks, 2 escalators and one set of steps later, I joined about 15 others on the vacant roof of the garage. We all saw an amazing sight as the rocket headed skyward ,precisely on time , and with its precious human cargo disappearing in the clouds.
I was exceptionally proud of myself and the little band of folk who took the time to make it important to be there. We can never become casual about anyone who puts their life in jeopardy for the betterment or advancement of all.
Tags: nasa, space shuttle, universal studios
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Florida | 1 Comment »
Monday, November 16th, 2009
We have enjoyed the charm of Savannah, Georgia, despite the cold and rain brought by former hurricane “Ida”.
We are staying at an awesome B & B , East BayInn, where there are 28 rooms. We are on the top floor and our room is all brick with 20 foot ceilings, high bed with steps, sitting area, and view of town from the windows.
We took a trolley tour of Savannah to get an over-view, and made eating at “The Lady and Sons” restaurant a MUST. It is owned by Paula Deen of Food Network fame. She is quite a lady.
There are 24 squares (parks) in the old city with mansions and businesses surrounding each and they have a charm all of their own. Forest Gump wa filmed in Savannah and surrounds, so we went to the park where thre opening scene with Forest sitting at on the bench waiting for th bus…and the feather drifted down….remember??? Well here is my very own Forest and this trip indeed has been like a box of chocolates…that you never know what you’re gonna get!!
Tags: easy bay inn, forrest gump, hurricane ida, paula dean, savannah, the food network, the lady and sons
Posted in Autumn Back East 2009, Georgia | 1 Comment »
